Title - Importance of Studying Microbial Genetics in an Undergraduate Microbiology Program

Name - Noor-E-Khadiza Shama

ID - 1921168

Microbial genetics is the key to understand the behavior and characteristics of micro-organisms

as it is determined by their genes. The full understanding of microbes is only possible by gaining

a clear knowledge of genetics. From the industrial production of insulin using genetically

modified bacteria to the production of antibiotics, microbial genetics has opened door for

medicine, food industry, agriculture and much more.

Power of Microbial Genetics

 Easier to study - By studying microbial genetics, we can understand microbes in more

details. This is important because microbes provide relatively simple and easy system for

studying genetic events and so are useful in deducing certain facts about higher

organisms.

 Gene cloning & Genetic engineering -Microbes are really convenient in multiplication

and isolation of specific genes of other organisms using gene cloning. This cloned gene

can be used in biomedical, pharmaceuticals, vaccine production, genetically engineered

plants. Gene probe and industrial research.

 Transgenic organism- Using genetic engineering, transgenic organisms are produced

which has a multitude of used like producing disease model to antibody production. To
 ensure the transfer of genes from the desired organism in an appropriate way, microbial

genetics play the key role.

 Gene transfer -Horizontal transfer of genes among bacteria via conjugation plays a key

role in resistance against antibiotics. Other examples of gene transfer includes

transduction and transformation. Microbial genetics will be useful in understanding these

gene transfers among various organisms.

 Sensing and signal transaction It occurs in almost all cells where the a physical or

chemical signal is transmitted through a series of molecular event. It is a process using

which cells can communicate within themselves.

 Resistance – Microbial genetics help us to understand the phenomenon of resistance in

organisms like bacteria. Resistance is a serious issue which makes an antibiotic

ineffective against bacteria, so the process of becoming resistant is studied well to ensure

factors which stimulate the event is removed.

 Bacterial metabolism - Bacteria are among the top organisms which are used in

research. In order to do so, microbial genetics is used to understand how the bacterial

metabolism works. It is used to study the metabolic processes like respiration and

fermentation and the enzymes used to catalyze each reaction involved. Without the aid of

genetics, it would have been impossible to fully understand the catabolic and anabolic

process involved in bacteria.

 Bacterial defensive responses – Bacteria show certain defense mechanism to survive

against perturbation and such mechanisms can be studies well using genetics. We can see

when the antibody mediated and cell mediated response occur against bacteria, it may
 show certain defensive mechanism like increased tolerance, hiding of antigen , induction

of ineffective antibody, antigenic variation and immunosuppression of host.

 Mutation in bacteria - bacterial mutation may results from the exposure of radiation or

harmful chemicals or it may be totally random. Mutation may results into production of

pathogenic bacteria from a non-pathogenic strain. All these understandings are the

blessing of microbial genetics

 Central Dogma -It is the of production of protein from DNA which involves two

process, transcription and translation. The discovery and further research of this whole

process involved the study of gene and their expression which is aided by microbial

genetics.

 Biogeological cycles -It involves cycle like carbon cycle and nitrogen cycle where

enormous amount of microorganisms are involved. The microbes play a major role in

converting organic materials into inorganic ones or gases. Our understanding of each

cycles can only be complete if we study them under the light of genetics.

Microbial Genetics in Human Welfare

 Treatment of disease A lot of diseases are caused by microbes like bacteria, virus and

fungus. In order to find the appropriate treatment for such infectious disease, the genetics

of the causative agent must be studied closely. For example, Remedesivir is a drug used

in the treatment of corona patients, it works by attaching with the DNA while the virus

replicates which stops the replication process.

 Gene therapy- Gene therapy plays a vital role in the treatment of genetic disease. It

involves the identification of defective gene followed by cloning of healthy gene and

finally transferring the healthy gene in to the target cell using a vector. All these involves

detailed idea of microbial genetics

 Sewage treatment -Several microbes are used in sewage treatment to reduce water

pollution. Their major role of bacteria is to reduce the volume of sludge from sewage and

produce methane. They also help to remove phosphorus from waste water. Which

bacteria to use in sewage treatment must be selected under the light of genetics.

 Value added products - Microbial genetics contributes to the production of several

value added products like growth hormones, dairy products, insecticides, antibiotic and

antiviral products, steroids, alcoholic drinks etc